Monday, June 8, 2009
Fireworks resume at Nationals Park. Despite Fire Chief Dennis Rubin's statements, stadium rooftop will still be used, with modifications.
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Watch entire testimony on Nationals Park fireworks from Chief Rubin (scroll to 1:56:32)
The ban on fireworks at Nationals Park was lifted Monday evening. The pyrotechnics will continue to be fired from the roof behind home plate despite statements by DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin just a few hours earlier that "it's probably going to have to be moved".
Chief Rubin was with his grandson in Section 130 along the first base side at Sunday's game against the Mets when debris from fireworks fell on him during the National Anthem. Rubin says that shouldn't happen, and he ordered the immediate halt of all fireworks at the stadium.
DC Fire & EMS Department officials had previously ordered Nationals officials to move the fireworks from the scoreboard due to similar problems with falling debris.In testimony before the DC City Council Monday afternoon, and in interviews with reporters, Chief Rubin indicated there needed to be a greater safety zone to protect fans from falling fireworks debris. The fireworks launching area had previously been moved from the scoreboard because of similar problems. The chief said a person was slightly burned by falling debris at the ball park last year.
In his testimony before the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary Rubin told Chairman Phil Mendelson, "To launch those types of devices over the heads of literally hundreds if not thousands is probably going to have to change."
Rubin talked with reporters about the Nationals possibly moving the fireworks to the barge on the Anacostia normally used for the more extensive displays during Friday evening games.
But in a written statement issued Monday evening under Chief Rubin's name, confirmation came that the fireworks will continue to be fired from the roof, with modifications. According to the press release, "The District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department met with the Washington Nationals to identify additional measures to ensure spectator safety during pyrotechnic activities at Nationals Park. These new measures will be put in place to serve as an additional layer of protection to reduce debris when fireworks are used ...".
When asked for details on this "additional layer of protection" a department spokesperson said it involves altering the firing angle and changing the material that is being fired.
In his interviews earlier in the day Rubin denied a report by Washington City Paper reporter Jason Cherkis that the chief had a run in with Nationals officials and had to pull rank saying, "Do you know who I am?" Rubin says it didn't happen that way.
The fireworks displays are scheduled to return for Tuesday evening's game against the Cincinnati Reds.
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"To launch those types of devices over the heads of literally hundreds if not thousands is probably going to have to change."
I will buy the hundreds, but not the thousands. There is hardly anybody going to the Nats games.
I will buy the hundreds, but not the thousands. There is hardly anybody going to the Nats games.
# posted by 
: June 8, 2009 8:42 PM
: June 8, 2009 8:42 PM
I hear all of the folks talk on here about what a huge tool this guy is, but never saw real evidence of it. This is all the proof I need. Rubin, if you can't handle some pieces of paper falling on you, maybe you should check yourself into a nice padded room. I hear they even have jackets you can wear to protect you from yourself.
# posted by : June 8, 2009 11:45 PM
: June 8, 2009 11:45 PM
Chief Rubin's job is to protect people in DC. He can more then handle falling paper. If you like having burning emers fall down and burn you then I sugesst perhaps its you not the fire chief that needs a padded room.
Maybe you would feel different if it was your grandson in the stands.
Maybe you would feel different if it was your grandson in the stands.
# posted by : June 9, 2009 8:16 AM
: June 9, 2009 8:16 AM
Chief Rubin couldn't protect the citizens of DC from a a wet match with both hands and a full box assignment, so yes I fully believe he overreacted to falling paper.
And I wouldn't feel different if it was my grandson in the grandstands. It would be a great lesson for him to learn how blowhards like Rubin can suck all of the fun out of a situation because of some flying debris, which might not have even been part of a firework, just so he try to show off in front of his grandkid. Another good lesson to learn would be how not to handle a PR situation. Is there is any more pompous statement than "Do you know who I am?"
This country's populace is being safetied to death, and that's why this generation of young people are living with their parents into their mid 20s and early 30s. Can't leave the nest, can't handle the real world, and it's all thanks to folks like you who are trying to smother everyone with safety. Fireworks are inherently dangerous, no two ways about it. But life is full of risks. The sooner you and everyone else realizes that fact the sooner this country will get its balls back.
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And I wouldn't feel different if it was my grandson in the grandstands. It would be a great lesson for him to learn how blowhards like Rubin can suck all of the fun out of a situation because of some flying debris, which might not have even been part of a firework, just so he try to show off in front of his grandkid. Another good lesson to learn would be how not to handle a PR situation. Is there is any more pompous statement than "Do you know who I am?"
This country's populace is being safetied to death, and that's why this generation of young people are living with their parents into their mid 20s and early 30s. Can't leave the nest, can't handle the real world, and it's all thanks to folks like you who are trying to smother everyone with safety. Fireworks are inherently dangerous, no two ways about it. But life is full of risks. The sooner you and everyone else realizes that fact the sooner this country will get its balls back.
# posted by : June 9, 2009 11:28 PM
: June 9, 2009 11:28 PM Links to this post:
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